The Real Dirt

Lilies are monocotyledons, plants which have flower parts in multiples of three, parallel leaf veins and fibrous, branching roots. They often have strap-like leaves in a clump at the base of the plant, and flowers on long stalks which tower over the leaves and wave in the breeze.

You may have noticed that blue oaks are turning brown in the foothills right now. They aren't dying they are utilizing an adaptive strategy that they have evolved over time to thrive in their challenging environment.

It's an exasperating experience. You go to the nursery, pick out a flowering plant, shrub, or tree and bring it home only to have some critter damage or destroy it within the first week. Pests cause damage and waste time and money.

What does a careful analysis of our Mediterranean climate, historic climate patterns, and water supply reveal about our future here in Butte County? Specifically, what does the historical climate record tell us about for precipitation and temperature? How have groundwater levels changed over time?

On Thursday, July 8, Governor Gavin Newsom asked California residents to cut back their water usage by 15%. Butte County is among the 50 California counties (out of a total of 58 counties) now included in Newsom's declaration of drought emergency.